“Carlos Vives, you brought your culture and your flag with you – beyond borders and above all complexities,” Alejandro Sanz said to a sea of ​​hundreds with a tearful Vives in the front row. Vives, the 25th artist to be named Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy, was honored Wednesday evening (November 14) in Miami with a star-studded gala that kicked off with Ruben Blades and Juan Luis Guerra, along with Gloria and Emilio. Estefan, as opening act.

“You represent something special in music – you love your roots – and I believe everyone in this room and (every artist) can agree that it touches us deeply, otherwise we wouldn’t be here,” Sanz continued. The proof is in the lineup: for nearly three hours, several Latin Grammy winners and icons delivered soulful interpretations and impressive renditions of Vives’ global hits, from the 1993 hit ‘La Gota Fría’ to ‘Un Pobre Loco’.

Among the long list of artists were rock group Los Fabulosos Cadillac, Camilo, Sebastian Yatra, Kany García, Fonseca, Juanes, Julieta Venegas, Maria Becerra, Carin León, David Bisbal, Gente De Zona, Grupo Frontera, Edgar Barrera, Emilia, Luis Fonsi and Wisin. In between nostalgic clips of Vives’ 30 years of Latin American music, artists such as J Balvin delivered short speeches about Vives’ impact in Colombia. In one video, Vives’ longtime accordionist Egidio Cuadrado, who recently passed away on October 21, spoke of Vives’ musical skills, praising his artistry and the lagenato style he has come to represent.

Singer-producer Barrera, the most nominated act at the Latin Grammys, played guitar for Léon, who sang Vives’ 2013 hit, “Volví a Nacer.” Barrera spoke endearingly to Vives, telling him that he had taught him – and continually inspires him – to hone his own melodies and lyrics.

Vives was on the verge of tears for most of the night, but let it all out when Spanish flamenco singer Niña Pastori, Antonio Rey and Victor Martinez of the Frost School of Music (University of Miami) came together to deliver a powerful rendition of Vives to sing. ‘ “Cumbia de Todos.” One camera focused on the honoree all night, capturing the moment Vives closed his eyes with droplets streaming down his face as Pastori’s powerful vibrato filled the room. The performance received the second standing ovation of the evening, after Juanes sang “La Gota Fría.”

Previous Person of the Year recipients include Latin music icons such as Shakira, Juanes, Marco Antonio Solis and Alejandro Sanz, to name a few. The gala’s performance line-ups, specially curated for each winner’s history and musical taste, are usually not fully revealed in order to welcome surprises for the POTY. Earlier that evening, Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud announced a multi-year partnership with Live Nation as sponsors for the Academy’s annual POTY event.